Australian Birds Coloring Book PDF Free Download
If you have been following my drawing videos on Pinterest, you know I have been drawing a lot of birds! These sketches have formed the skeleton of my bird colouring book. I am excited to finally share a teaser of what to expect.
Drawing and colouring have always been a huge part of my life since I was very little. One of my favourite activities was colouring in alongside my mother as she painted. These activities made a difficult childhood more tolerable for a growing mind.
I struggled with dyslexia as a child and was bullied for it. During my school years, no one understood what I was going through - they seemed to believe that it was laziness or a lack of motivation. I was often asked to work harder, pay attention and focus better. But those who understand dyslexia know it is a disability that can make reading, writing and learning arithmetic very challenging.
The only thing that made me feel purposeful was drawing and colouring in. People actually saw me when I was creating; I wasn't that troublesome child anymore. My drawings were worth looking at and they got me the acceptance and adoration that any child craves. My art protected me from a world that did not understand me.
I received colouring-in books and colour pencils for most of my birthdays and I absolutely loved them! They were a fun escape from reality.
As an adult, I believe that colouring-in is too much fun to be labelled as an activity only for children. Recently, there has been a resurgence of colouring-in books for adults with elaborate and intricate pages. There are online groups where people share their colouring pages on social media.
The appeal of colouring books is its nostalgic charm. The activity can be very relaxing and soothing. The allure also lies in the fact that it isn't tainted with the obligation to be 'perfect'. You have unwritten permission to make mistakes and be curious. The idea of adding colour or texture to an existing drawing perhaps takes the dread out of trying to come up with an entire picture by yourself.
Many colouring book enthusiasts claim that it can lead to a state of meditation. I honestly don’t find that to be the case. But when things get too stressful, I can always rely on my colouring and drawing to bring me back to a state of calmness. It takes me back to a time when things were simpler and that can be a transformative feeling for many adults caught up in the daily grind.
This is why I don’t think that colouring in for any age will be just a trend. It is here to stay and it will do us good to have something simple to go back to when a day gets tough.
I hope you will enjoy some of my artwork from the book I am designing.
Here are a few fun facts about these birds in my book.
Some Black Swans can be gay!
Is being gay an inherent part of nature? Very likely. Scientists estimate that male-male pairs of black swans exist in a quarter of the population. Unable to reproduce themselves, they will steal a nest that has been established by another pair of swans. The other pair will construct a new nest and go on to reproduce again, while the male-male pair will incubate the eggs and raise the cygnets! These birds pair up when they reach sexual maturity and remain together for the rest of their life.
Fascinating facts about the Peregrine falcon
When you think of speed, which animal comes to mind? The cheetah? Actually, it's the peregrine falcon. The peregrine falcon has a diving speed of 389 km/h (242 mph), more than thrice the running speed of a cheetah. In the late Middle Ages, the Western European nobility considered the Peregrine falcon just below the gyrfalcon associated with kings. It was considered "a royal bird, more armed by its courage than its claws". It is considered the fastest member of the animal kingdom.
Kookaburra facts that are not a laughing matter
Did you know that Kookaburras are the largest member of the Kingfisher family? So, do they eat fish? No, they don't. Kookaburras prefer worms, insects, mice and even snakes and lizards. Throughout the Australian Bush, you can hear kookaburras call out at dusk and as the sun is setting. Their unusual call sounds more like a great big belly laugh, but they are not really laughing at all; they are actually telling other kookaburras that this is their territory.
Are you tempted to try colouring these pages in? Download 10 free colouring pages here.
How did this bird get its strange name: New Holland Honeyeaters
Did you know that Australia was initially called New Holland? That's where these birds got their name from. The New Holland Honeyeater is one of the most common on the southern coasts of Australia. They are aggressive honey consumers! The long, curved beaks the honeyeaters have are perfect for reaching deep into a flower to get to the sweet nectar inside. Many have a brush-tipped tongue to collect this nectar. Although the honeyeater loves sugar, they also eat insects and spiders for protein.
Australian Pelicans have the longest bill in the avian world
In 1984, a rumour circulated that a pelican had scooped up a chihuahua into its mouth because it was feasting on the pelican's fish. The story even made it to the ABC news at the time. Well-known folklorist Bill Scott declared the story an urban myth.
The menacing bill of the Australian pelican, a whopping 50cm being the longest bill recorded in the bird world, is a world record-setter. Although there have been reports of similar incidents like the chihuahua, pelicans mostly use their incredibly lengthy bills to snap up food and to impress prospective mates.
Rainbow Bee Eaters form complex families
Are humans the only ones that recognise a family unit? The answer would be no! Bee-eaters have one of the most complex social systems of any bird species. Many species are monogamous and live in large colonies of over 100 birds, but can reach 200 birds if conditions are favourable. Each bird lives in an extended family with members of four overlapping generations. Females leave their natal group to join their mate's family. Bee-eaters appear to recognize parents, siblings, offspring, friends, and even nesting neighbours.
Meet the world's most dangerous bird: The cassowary
On 12 April 2019, a 75-year-old man died from injuries suffered in an attack by a cassowary, one of the exotic birds that he used to rear on his property in Florida, USA.
The cassowary has muscular legs that can pack a powerful kick. These terminate in three claw-tipped toes that are as sharp as knives. The claw on the inner toe is particularly formidable, reaching lengths of 5 inches! Although used for eating fruit and fungi, a cassowary will leap up and strike out with these dagger-like weapons when threatened.
I have designed a sneak peek downloadable for those who are interested in colouring in birds. Download 10 free colouring pages here.